There have been some ripper goals so far this season and thanks to Opta, we’ve uncovered the goals data you need to know.
*Victory is the only team in the Hyundai A-League this season to have scored more goals with the left foot (12) than with the right (nine).
*Brisbane Roar is the worst when it comes to conceding own goals, with 10% of the goals they have conceded in 2015/16 coming from one of their own players, including Corona’s effort against Sydney FC last round.
*Perth Glory are the most prolific side between the 61st and 75th minutes, with seven goals in that block, the most of any team.
*Newcastle Jets may have struggled in front of goal so far in 2015/16 with just 13 from 17 matches but they are easily the best in the league when it comes to headed goals.
Scott Miller’s side has scored 38% of their goals with the head, more than double that of the next best Sydney FC (18)%.
*Speaking of Sydney FC and they are scoring the highest percentage of goals in the last 15 minutes of matches. It appears conditioning coach Andrew Clark has got them in peak condition, with Sydney scoring 41% of their goals in the last quarter of an hour of games.
*Still on the Sky Blues, they are the competition’s ultimate goal-poachers with none of their goals this season coming from outside the box. Graham Arnold’s troops are the only side yet to score from distance. Can they end that drought before the end of the season?
*While Sydney has drawn blanks from long range, only Melbourne City, the Wanderers and Brisbane Roar have scored more than the Sky Blues from inside the box.
In contrast, Phoenix has proved adept at stopping sides scoring against them from distance, with just one of the 31 goals they have shipped coming from outside the box.
*Victory has proven themselves to be the first half kings in the A-League this season. They are the only club in the competition to have scored more goals in the first half of matches than the second, with 14 of their 27 goals coming in the opening 45 minutes.
*League-leaders Western Sydney Wanderers are best defensively when it comes to the first 15 minutes of the second half. Coach Tony Popovic’s half-time team talks are obviously having the desired effect with the Wanderers conceding just once in the 15 minutes immediately after the break. Only Victory has a similar record.
*When it comes to own goals, Adelaide has been the side that’s benefited most from their opponents’ misfortune. The Reds have been the beneficiary of four own goals this season – or 17% of their goals – with own goals sitting equal second on their leading scorers list alongside Pablo Sanchez and Craig Goodwin.
*Central Coast may be bottom of the competition but no team has scored more penalties than the Mariners this season. Tony Walmsley’s side has slotted four penalties this season, tied for first with the Reds. Ironically, both sides were awarded – and missed – penalties when the two sides met earlier this month.
